Compulsive Gambling and Abilify: What You Need to Know

When you look at it from afar, gambling doesn’t seem to be so bad, especially if done in moderation. However, compulsive gambling, on the other hand, can destroy an individual’s life or family. In fact, excessive and uncontrollable gambling is one of the leading causes of destroyed lives and families, and it just sits right beside drug abuse and alcoholism.

Now that we know that compulsive gambling shouldn’t become the path you choose in life, what’s its relation with Abilify? While it would seem that there’s no relationship between the pharmaceutical drug used to treat schizophrenia and uncontrolled gambling, there are, in fact, plenty of things that are being shared between these two things.

What is Abilify?

Abilify is an antipsychotic medicine with aripiprazole as its generic name. The Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company and Bristol Myers Squibb are the manufacturers of this medication. The drug is even approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be safe for use in the treatment of different psychological and mental conditions, such as bipolar disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and autism-related irritability. The FDA approved the drug back in the year 2002, but only to be strictly used for the treatment of schizophrenia. As of late, there are about a million people in the United States alone that are prescribed by doctors to use Abilify. In fact, it was the top-selling medicine in the entire country back in 2013.

Are There Any Possible Side Effects With the Use of Abilify?

Abilify can bring about compulsive gambling, but it can also include other adverse effects. Some of the potential and additional side effects included with the use of Abilify include the following: risk of suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, violence and aggression, sudden mood changes, death (especially in older patients who have dementia), insomnia, and mania. Back in the year 2007, Bristol Myers Squibb settled the charges of illegal marketing as filed by the federal government. It was when the pharmaceutical company failed to put the potential side effects on the label of the drug. There might even be signs of short-term side effects with the use of this medication, which may or may not include the following: a headache, involuntary muscle movements, seizures, diabetes mellitus, sexual dysfunction, vomiting, and cognitive impairment.

How Does Abilify Work?

Abilify can increase or decrease the level of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates the individual’s mood. Studies show and suspect that the medication can affect the brain’s dopamine receptor. As a result, it’ll take charge in controlling the emotions of the individual, and it can lead to pathological behaviors.

Abilify Lawsuits

Patients using Abilify who developed compulsive gambling habits that lead to severe negative life changes can claim legal actions against the manufacturers of this drug. These situations include the loss of jobs, houses, and retirement funds. Furthermore, Abilify users that have also accrued severe credit card and other debts can also file legal claims against the manufacturers.

If you’re a patient that uses Abilify and has developed compulsive behaviors that have now destroyed your quality of life, then you can file legal claims against the manufacturers of the medication. However, make sure that you get professional legal assistance to help you every step of the way. A good place to start is by going to Meds Law Group LLP.